The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-03
Offices, the stores, the shops the factories.
Are they able for the things that are before
THE VALUE OF THE GAME.


of the players. They cherish an il-concealed
scorn for persons of their acquaintance who
lay aside work to spend an hour or two in
watching match game" and they grumble
increasingly over the space devoted by the
press to records Of the sport-space which they
argue might be filled with something to suit
their tastes and, not being SO, is wasted
There is spirit of intolerance in these
manifestations which these estimable but too
conservative people would be the first to re-
sent were the tables turned, and themselves
the objects of criticism. These same persons
are, perhaps, devoted members Of some secret
society, and spend long evenings pow-wowing
in close halls, or banqueting to their hurt
with the brethren. 1t would displease them
to know that any portion of the public
regarded time and money so spent as worse
than wasted, and berated the editors of their
favorite newspapers for giving space to the
doings of the order. Or they are fond of the
theater or of social entertainments, or they
measure of dissipation, in a frequent attend
ance at religious meetings. 1t would be pre-
sumptuous and impairment on the part, say,
of baseball nine, to find fault with these
good people for occupying their leisure hours
in their own way. Is it not equally so for
them to assume that their way of living and
~ G. L,oI
way?
If they would but lift their eyes from the
level on which they are fixed and look at the
matter from a different point of view, the now
despised Ito them) base ball might seem less
like unmitgated foolishness than is now the
case. In the first place, the most virulent
enemy of the sport will not claim that the
national game is of itself conducive to i'm
morality. One of the arguments held against
it, however, is the alleged fact that the play
ers are not gentlemen of the highest mental
and moral culture This may or may not be
true, but as a purchase of ticket to the
grounds does not place the Witness of the game
under obligations to invite the short-stop to
dinner or to introduce the handsomest pitcher
to his daughter, danger of contamination is
comparatively slight. 1t is neither customary,
nor the part of WISDOM to demand accurate
information concerning the private lives Of
public characters whose only business with
the people is to entertain and amuse. The
popular comedian may be bold, bad man in
other walks Of life, and the early spring or
gan grinder a Buebeard but these circum-
stances really do not concern u.s. whom their
talents entertain. The antecedents of the
butcher and baker, who come into our very
| houses, are not regarded as important, and
one does not even inquire too closely into the
morals of ones neighbor so long as he does not
| poach upon ones own preserves.
Social influences aside however, the
grumblers, who would find no attraction in
the game were one opposing club composed
| of ministers of the gospel and the other of
members of Congress, ask, wonderingly, what
| it is that draws thousands of spectators to sit
| patiently for hours in sun, or wind, or rain,
rapt in admiration of the physical accom-
plshments Of other men. They do not under
| stand that these thousands have within them
more or less of that virile spirit which yearns
for an active outdoor life. Had they more,
rather than less, they would not be content to
sit quietly and take their exercise vicariously;
but it is something-it is much-that this in
terest in such matters exists at all. The ten
dency of city life is towards effeminacy so far
as physical conditions 60 The great majority
of city men are engaged in occupations which
keep them confined within four walls for many
hours of the twenty-four. Many become dis
inclined to active exertion of body, and these,
| finding their recreation in quiet pursuits,
are numbered among the opponents of such
athletic games as base ball. 1t is encourag
ing that all are not so opposed; that the book
keeper has enough interest in manly sports te
prevent him from becoming a mere adding
machine; that the naIrow-chested and stoop
ing salesman and too-studious professional
man are admirers of high physical develop
ment. 1t would be better, no doubt, for thei
bodily welfare if each were to HE himself t.
gymnasium, or to spend his spare hour on
bicycle or pedestrian excursion but these viii
come later. Man is gregarious animal, ant
at present the social element, as we'll as the
taste for athletics, influences his attendanc,
at the ball-feld.
In the course Of time he will become 81
imbued with a spirit of emulation that he will
engage in out-of-door sports himself, and i
this does not become nation Of athletes
equal to the early Greeks, the pale and pun,
American will, at least, retire to the back
ground. Already the influence of the pro
fessional game is shown in the innumerabl
mines formed among small boys and half
grown youths, and the list of amateur game
planned for the season. The coming ma
WILL at least, have muscle, and to gain this i
is worth while for the present generation t
spend its leisure hours sitting on har